AVATAR director James Cameron’s own research and needs for creating a realistic alien world in the blockbuster movie lead to him developing a performance capture camera. In AVATAR, motion capture is achieved with several cameras positioned around a huge sound stage as well as special equipment on the actors themselves. Here's a look at the motion capture and computer generated imagery (CGI) technology Cameron pioneered and how it works. Guest post by Christian Cawley How was James Cameron able to create the amazing effects in AVATAR? AVATAR saw the adoption of new cinematic techniques – and in some cases the... Continue reading

Most languages evolve organically over thousands of years but Na'vi is the creation of linguist Paul Frommer, a professor of clinical management communication at U.S.C., who created the Na’vi language from scratch for James Cameron. So how do you figure out your Na'vi name? Rum & Monkey has created a Na'vi Name Generator. All the names generated are based on the real Na'vi language. Put in your name (or any handle or word you want), choose your gender, and you'll have your Na'vi name. If you know what your name means in non Na'vi (Jake = God is Gracious; Trudy... Continue reading

If you bought the Avatar DVD this Earth day, you're probably aware of the environmental messages that AVATAR is trying to pass along. Here's a look at where the good ideas lie and where the movie stumbles in its portrayal of modern environmental concerns. Guest post by Ty Wingfoot Earth Day was originally established to raise environmental awareness, albeit in a much more radical way than the mainstream hippie-love-fest that Earth Day has become in 2010. Of course, this Earth Day is a little different than the ones before it because it coincides with the release of the AVATAR DVD,... Continue reading

AVATAR won't be available in 3D for the home until this fall or next year, but 3D TVs are already finding their way into home theaters. Whether you're considering it for this fall or ready to take the plunge now, here's a look at all the equipment you'll need to watch 3D movies at home. Guest post by Karishma Sundaram Up until very recently, the 3D movie experience was limited to either movie theaters, with their sophisticated equipment, or to household versions with anaglyph glasses. That has all changed dramatically, with the technology that is now available. Setting up a... Continue reading

AVATAR jewelry is made from natural materials, a palette of the colors seen on Pandora. The jewelry ranges from very simple to highly crafted ritual pieces. There are many different types of AVATAR movie jewelry, but here we will learn how to make Neytiri’s bracelets. Guest post by Rebecca Scudder No AVATAR Cosplay or Halloween costume would be complete without some genuine AVATAR movie jewelry, and many manufactured costumes that you may buy will be missing this very important detail. So, to help you get that authentic appearance you’re looking for, this article will teach you how to make a... Continue reading

AVATAR is coming in 3D on DVD this fall or early next year. So what is 3D television technology and how does it work? If you want to know what the new 3D technology is or find out whether everyone can enjoy the effect you’ll find out here. We also take a look at what 3D television technology is currently available and how much it costs. If you’re wondering about whether you can watch 2D movies on a 3D TV or whether sports and TV shows will be broadcast in 3D we’ve got your answers. Guest post by Simon Hill... Continue reading

We're giving away still more Blu-Ray players and Avatar DVDs! To enter, all you have to do is join the AVATAR Typepad Community, answer the weekly question below, and you'll be entered to win a free Blu-Ray player or AVATAR DVD! Each week we pick a new winner. Winners are chosen based on composition and originality of their answers to the question. And there will be a new question each week, ending June 6 so check back often for your chance to win. Prizes include a a Panasonic DMP-BD45 Ultra-Fast Booting Blu-Ray Disc Player and an AVATAR Two-Disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo.... Continue reading

Na’vi, the AVATAR movie language, is a conlang, a constructed language that gives depth to the movie and a deeper sense of reality. The language has struck a chord with thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of people who loved the movie, the Na’vi people, and now want to learn the language. Here is some basic information about the AVATAR movie language. Guest post by Rebecca Scudder Na'vi, the language of the movie AVATAR, was designed to seem exotic, but still be learnable by humans. That means, you should have every expectation of being able to learn Na'vi. This article covers... Continue reading

Need some AVATAR gift ideas? Take a look at these creative gift ideas – the AVATAR fan on your list will love any of these items! Guest post by Harriette Halepis If you have an avid AVATAR fan in your life, then you’ll want to keep track of the best AVATAR gift ideas out there. Ever since the movie was released, there have been a lot of AVATAR related items available, but some of them are better left on the shelf. Below, you’ll find some of the best AVATAR gift ideas available – and most of them are affordable too!... Continue reading

Very few people experience nausea during 3D movies, but for those who do (or for people you know) there are a few quick fixes that are sure to make your AVATAR viewing experience more enjoyable. Find out how to keep yourself from feeling sick while watching the amazing 3D effects in this film. Guest post by Ashley Hansen AVATAR offers viewers 162 minutes of pure 3D bliss – for most people, that is. While many moviegoers would prefer that every film be available in 3D, there is a small portion of the population who struggles to view 3D film images... Continue reading

What's the best sound system you can use for the ultimate AVATAR 3D movie experience? During a 3D movie, the sound is also a big part of the overall experience. In a movie theater and in a home theater, a surround sound is exceptionally important to keep the illusion of depth constant. There are a number of 3D technologies available now, and this article contrasts the quality of each 3D sound system. Guest post by Karishma Sundaram AVATAR 3D is a distinctly larger-than-life movie, where the audio plays an important role in the viewing experience. Learn more about the sound... Continue reading

This short quiz includes 10 questions to ask your friends before and after watching AVATAR. It's also a great icebreaker or activity for an AVATAR DVD theme party. Guest post by Simon Hill AVATAR is a fantastic sci-fi adventure which uses the latest in movie technology to create a computer enhanced 3D spectacle on a scale never before seen. It is officially the most successful film ever at the box office worldwide and has garnered a legion of devout fans. If you have an interest in AVATAR movie trivia or you’d like to test the knowledge of the AVATAR fan... Continue reading

Blu-Ray technology may seem brand new to some, but the AVATAR movie is driving Blu-Ray technology and 3D Blu-Ray technology home-- first for the early adapters and eventually to the whole market. Guest post by Ty Wingfoot Only a few months ago, there was mild speculation among the public about 3D televisions and 3D Blu-Ray players, and even how these systems would work. Since AVATAR has come and gone in its original theatrical run, 3D TVs have hit the market and the number of Blu-Ray 3D disks is expected to reach about 70 titles by the end of the year.... Continue reading

A blockbuster movie like AVATAR requires a huge number of people behind the scenes - and on camera. In this article we delve into the story behind the cast and crew of the movie AVATAR to identify the key players. You’ll find the main AVATAR movie cast along with a few of the most important people behind the scenes. Guest post by Simon Hill AVATAR has now entered the record books as the highest earning film of all time at the worldwide box office. This is the kind of success that any actor would want to be associated with but... Continue reading

Televisions and AVATAR have only marked the beginning for 3D home technology. As the news is flooded with launches of high-end 3D-enabled televisions, top electronics manufacturers are also releasing a number of stylish 3D cameras, webcams, game consoles and other accessories to take advantage of the 3D viewing experience. Guest post by Karishma Sundaram As new 3D-enabled products descend into the mainstream market, there are many 3D television accessories that have followed in their wake. Most 3D accessories are restricted to viewing 3D video on television, although there are a few others, which are inspired by the new technology. 3D... Continue reading

If you want to create your own AVATAR movie poster, then this guide will take you from finding the image to printing the finished product. Guest post by Katie Gatto Creating slick and high quality movie posters used to be something that only the pros could do. Luckily for film fans around the world, modern computers have brought this ability to the masses. If you want to make a custom movie poster for AVATAR, either as decoration or in celebration of the DVD launch, then these steps will get you creating one in no time. Step 1: Gather Your Images... Continue reading

AVATAR sequel rumors are swirling again and amid the sequel rumors lies the future of 3D movies. So, will there be a 3D sequel to AVATAR? This article will directly answer that question. James Cameron himself speaks up on whether there will be a sequel to AVATAR. Also, will 3D movies remain popular as an essential part of entertainment in pop culture? Guest post by Robin Raven Amidst many AVATAR sequel rumors, here is the truth. AVATAR is the highest grossing movie of all time, before there are adjustments for price changes and inflation. Even once that occurs, it's up... Continue reading

Thanks to AVATAR, 3D televisions are the hottest home theater technology around. If you plan on buying a 3D TV one, you may not realize they can really affect your home theater design. Keep these tips in mind for the best experience. Guest post by Ty Wingfoot You see the advertisements everywhere: 3D TVs are all the rage now. About a half a dozen major TV manufacturers already have sets on the market or will soon release a 3D television. If you are thinking about purchasing one to add to your existing media room, you will need to take into... Continue reading

Ever wonder how they did that to Jake Sully's legs in AVATAR? While maybe not the flashiest special effects around, Sully's skinny, atrophied legs have a lot of people scratching their heads and asking, “How did they do that?” Guest post by Robert Guthrie James Cameron's sci-fi action blockbuster, AVATAR, has been getting a lot of press for its revolutionary use of special effects and 3D, some of which are downright astonishing (AVATAR might be the first movie where people rendered in CGI avoid the dreaded “uncanny valley” effect). While the stunning rendering of Pandora and the amazing detail shown... Continue reading

If you are eager to find out the truth about the AVATAR DVD special features, here are the facts. The DVD itself is the movie. The same is true for the Blu-Ray. However, don't let that fool you. There are, in fact, several AVATAR DVD special features that come with the disc. A special code that comes with each Blu-Ray or DVD disc sold unfolds lots of special features, from sponsoring the planting of a tree to putting yourself in the AVATAR action. Here's a look at the special features included on the first DVD release. Guest post by Robin... Continue reading

AVATAR is one of the most successful movies ever made and director James Cameron employed a number of unusual techniques to make it. In this article we highlight five cool facts about the making of the movie AVATAR. Find out about the Na’vi language, the digital imagery, the cast, the inspiration and the budget for the film. Guest post by Simon Hill The making of the movie AVATAR was one of the most expensive and complex productions in film history. It actually started back in 1994 when visionary director James Cameron wrote the script which would grow into AVATAR. He... Continue reading

James Horner’s AVATAR music is an immensely powerful and dynamic score, but how did he approach the challenges it presented and still produce something innovative and unique? Guest post by Jonathan Wylie Born August 14, 1953, James Horner is the American composer behind some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. He has received countless awards in his career including Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Grammys, and an incredible ten Academy Award nominations–two of which won him Oscar statues. James Horner is well-known for his work on epic movies like Braveheart and Apollo 13, but he has penned many more scores for films like Glory,... Continue reading

What size TV should you be considering for the best AVATAR experience? In this special article related to the newly released AVATAR DVD, we review what you should be looking for in terms of buying a new TV to see AVATAR like never before. We show you a useful calculator for selecting TV size and talk you through what sort of TV technology you should consider. Guest post by Ty Wingfoot Selecting the right TV can be a challenge, and that’s before we consider that you’re looking for the TV that’s going to kick your AVATAR viewing party up to... Continue reading

Want to create your own AVATAR screen art? Try these tips for using Photoshop to create your own amazing AVATAR fan art. It's easier than you think. Guest post by Ty Wingfoot If you admire AVATAR screen art and would like to try our tips for using Photoshop to create your very own AVATAR art, you're in the right place. You can use Photoshop to create amazing AVATAR fan art. Here are some great tips on using Photoshop for your next AVATAR and fan art adventure! When designing AVATAR art you want to keep in mind a few things that... Continue reading

3D-enabled televisions are just breaking into the mainstream market, but computers have long had been able to screen 3D video because of sophisticated graphics cards. This article focuses on the ways to watch 3D movies on a home computer. Guest post by Karishma Sundaram Why watch movies on a computer? Many people opt to watch movies on their computer for a wide variety of reasons. Since computers usually come with a built-in DVD, it's a quick and affordable way to watch DVDs at home. And with the option to download or stream movies legally from the Internet via services like... Continue reading